Ep. 249 - Thunder Beast | The Science of Precision Suppressors

On this episode of the Hornady Podcast, host Seth Swerczek is joined by Miles Neville and Preston Lentfer to examine whether primer selection and seating depth affect accuracy, velocity consistency, and reliability. Backed by extensive testing and real-world data, the group separates meaningful results from statistical noise and explains what reloaders should be aware of at the bench.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Preston Lentfer to take a closer look at the 338 ARC in a bolt-action rifle. They break down Preston's component choices, and what makes this traditionally AR-focused cartridge such a fun and capable option in a bolt gun—from quiet subsonic shooting to hunting applications.

In this episode, Seth Swerczek is joined by Preston Lentfer and Project Engineer Matt Mack to explore VEXIS from Hornady Security. They break down how VEXIS uses palm-vein recognition technology to provide fast, reliable access to safes and vault doors, how the technology works, and why it represents an exciting step forward in biometric security.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Assistant Director of Engineering Joe Thielen and Project Engineer Miles Neville to introduce two new A-Tip bullets: the 120 grain 6mm and 177 grain 30 caliber. The crew dives into the engineering behind these new designs, why bullet weights continue to push heavier, and how modern technology is opening the door to new levels of ballistic performance.

In this episode, Seth and Jayden Quinlan sit down with Kurtis Palu and Sam Carlson from Thunder Beast Arms Co. to dive into the science and engineering behind precision suppressors. From Thunder Beast's roots in precision rifle shooting to sound, recoil, repeatability, and real-world performance, the crew explores what it takes to build a suppressor that precision shooters can rely on.

In this episode, Seth Swerczek is joined by Miles Neville and special guest Andrew Wright from SureFire to explore the engineering behind gear built for demanding use. From suppressor design, back pressure, sound and flash reduction to illumination, durability, and real-world performance, the conversation dives into what really matters when equipment simply can't fail.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Matt Ritchie and Evan Dextraze of The Ultimate Hunting Experience to discuss a new approach to hunter education. From practical field skills and marksmanship to competition and conservation, they explore how The Ultimate Hunting Experience is helping hunters become more capable, confident, and prepared for success in the field.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by ballistician Jacob Morrow to break down his ideal do-all 6mm ARC rifle build. From component selection and rifle configuration to the intended applications, Jacob explains what makes this setup versatile enough for everything from target shooting to hunting. If you're considering a 6mm ARC build, this episode offers practical insight into creating a rifle that does it all.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Jayden Quinlan to tackle one of the most debated topics in long-range shooting: where does the wind matter most? Using real-world examples, predictive simulations, and practical ballistic principles, Jayden breaks down how wind at different points along the bullet's flight affects hit probability. If you've ever wondered whether to focus on the wind at the shooter, in between, or at the target, this episode will help you make better wind calls and more consistent hits.

Host Seth Swerczek sits down with legendary competitive shooter Doug Koenig to discuss the mindset behind decades of championship success. From his introduction to practical shooting and the lessons learned through competition to handling pressure, hunting, training, and continual improvement, Doug shares the principles that have made him one of the most accomplished shooters in the world—and how they apply far beyond the competition range.